Fish

Geelbek (Cape salmon)

Geelbek (corvina de boca amarilla)

Atractoscion aequidens

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

5–20 lb.

Depth

50–650 ft, usually 300–650 ft.

Best time

Dusk, night and dawn.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A sleek, silvery-blue croaker with a bright yellow inside of the mouth and yellow edges on the gill covers ('geelbek' means 'yellow mouth') and a slightly forked tail.
Typical size: 5–20 lb.
Maximum size: About 4¼ ft (130 cm) and about 55 lb (25 kg).
Diet: Schooling fish such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel and horse mackerel, mostly at night.
Behavior: Schools over reefs and follows the sardines; adults migrate to KwaZulu-Natal in winter and spring to spawn, then return to the Cape.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern Africa. Coastal reefs and sandy or muddy bottoms off South Africa and Mozambique, from the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal; juveniles enter estuaries.
Habitat: Coastal reefs and sandy or muddy bottoms off South Africa and Mozambique, from the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal; juveniles enter estuaries.
Depth: 50–650 ft, usually 300–650 ft.
Fishing depth: 60–300 ft over reefs from boats.
Best season: Summer along the southern Cape coast (about October to March); winter and spring off KwaZulu-Natal.
Best time: Dusk, night and dawn.
Best tides: Moving current over the reef.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas for boat fishing.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Sardine, live mackerel or horse mackerel, and squid.
Best artificial lures: Metal jigs, slow-pitch jigs and soft plastics on jig heads.
Tackle setup: Medium-heavy jigging or bottom rod.
Hook size: 3/0–6/0 hooks; assist hooks on jigs.
Line: 30–50 lb braid.
Leader: 40–60 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Coastal reefs and sandy or muddy bottoms off South Africa and Mozambique, from the Cape to KwaZulu-Natal; juveniles enter estuaries.
Rig up: Medium-heavy jigging or bottom rod. 40–60 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Sardine, live mackerel or horse mackerel, and squid. Lures: Metal jigs, slow-pitch jigs and soft plastics on jig heads.
Fish it: Jig or drift baits over reefs where sardine schools show on the sonar, especially at dusk; geelbek often hunt in mid-water above the reef.
Time it: Dusk, night and dawn. Moving current over the reef.

Fishing techniques: Jig or drift baits over reefs where sardine schools show on the sonar, especially at dusk; geelbek often hunt in mid-water above the reef.
BigJoe's tip: Look in the fish's mouth: bright yellow means geelbek, which separates it from kob caught on the same reefs.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Excellent — firm white meat, great braaied, grilled or smoked.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Fish from deep water should be landed quickly; no special hazards.
Regulations: South Africa: 2 per person per day with a 60 cm (24 in) minimum. Listed as Near Threatened after heavy overfishing. South Africa requires a recreational fishing permit (sold at post offices and online), with daily bag limits, minimum sizes and closed seasons for many species; Namibia and Mozambique sell their own licenses. Recreational catches may not be sold, and marine protected areas have their own rules.
Conservation: Stocks are a fraction of what they were; keep within the limit and release extras.

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Sources & photo credits